Printer

ABSTRACT

A program execution unit of an MFP apparatus does not use a preset priority for each kind of job or a print estimated time with low precision. Instead, the program execution unit controls a print order of pages of print images, which are generated by each job, so as to maximize the operation rate of a print engine. Printed matters, which include pages of respective jobs in a mixed fashion, are sorted according to jobs in a subsequent stage. Thereby, grouping, which is similar to the prior art, is executed, thereby realizing a print control which requires no exceptional operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printer that has a plurality offunctions and executes printing, such as a digital multi-functionperipheral (MFP), and to a print processing method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-127928 discloses aconventional method for a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP). Inthis method, in accordance with the priority based on job kinds betweena job in printing and a job in a print queue, an estimated time untilcompletion of print and a set value of a print order that is arbitrarilypreset by a user, a priority assigning process for print jobs isexecuted. It is thus automatically determined whether a job in a printqueue is to be preferentially printed, or whether a job in printing iscontinuously printed.

In the method of KOKAI No. 2001-127928, however, the order of print isdetermined based on the preset priority for each kind of job and theestimated time until completion of print. If a preset priority isimproper or if there are many jobs, the time of actual print of each ofwhich is greatly different from the estimated time, an optimalprint-order control for the user cannot be executed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of an aspect of the present invention is to provide a printerand a print processing method, which can execute an optimal print-ordercontrol by fairly performing print-out at a desired ratio per unit time.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aprint processing method for a printer that has a plurality of functionsand a plurality of paper output methods and executes print for each ofthe functions, comprising: executing, when prints by the plurality offunctions are simultaneous/parallel processed, printing of print images,which are created by image processes associated with the respectivefunctions, by calculating a print order on the basis of a time at whicheach print image is created and a preset print process ratio between thefunctions; executing, when the preset print process ratio is alteredwhere necessary during the printing, printing of remaining print imagesat the time of the alteration by re-calculating the print order on thebasis of the altered process ratio; and sorting paper sheets, on whichthe printing is effected, according to each of the functions by theplurality of paper output methods.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda printer that has a plurality of functions and a plurality of paperoutput methods and executes print for each of the functions, comprising:a printing unit which prints a print image that is created by each ofthe functions; a setting unit which sets, when prints by the pluralityof functions are simultaneous/parallel processed, a print process ratiobetween the functions, which is used to determine a priority of printprocesses; a processing unit which executes a print process by theprinting unit, by determining a print order on the basis of the printprocess ratio between the functions, which is preset by the settingunit, and a time at which each print image according to each function iscreated; an altering unit which alters the print order, when the printprocess ratio is altered by the setting unit where necessary during theprint process by the processing unit, by re-calculating the print orderon the basis of a number of remaining print images at the time of thealteration and the altered print process ratio; and a control unit whichexecutes a control to sort paper sheets, which are printed by theprinting unit, according to each of the functions by the plurality ofpaper output methods.

Additional objects and advantages of an aspect of the invention will beset forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obviousfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.The objects and advantages of an aspect of the invention may be realizedand obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinationsparticularly pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of theinvention, and together with the general description given above and thedetailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explainthe principles of an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that schematically shows the structure of anMFP apparatus according to a printer of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a sorting function that is provided in theMFP apparatus, which is necessary for the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a method of executing job-by-job sortingby changing the direction of paper;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a timing of generating/printing pages ofeach print job in the prior art;

FIG. 5 shows an example of interrupt print, to which the presentinvention is applied;

FIG. 6 shows prior art in a case where 100 copies are printed by networkprint;

FIG. 7 shows an example in which 100 copies are printed by network printaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a timing in the prior art in a case where a networkprint job for 100 copies and a copying job for 20 copies are overlapped;

FIG. 9 shows an example of a setting screen that is displayed on adisplay unit;

FIG. 10 illustrates a timing in the present invention in a case where anetwork print job for 100 copies and a copying job for 20 copies areoverlapped;

FIG. 11 illustrates a timing in the present invention in a case where anetwork print job for 100 copies and a copying job for 20 copies areoverlapped;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an operation for determining apaper output destination;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an operation for adjusting a printratio;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating an operation for determining aprint image;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a counter reset operation fordetermining a print image;

FIG. 16 shows an engine speed and a time until counter reset; and

FIG. 17 shows an example of a priority order determination table forprint images.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the structure of an MFP (Multi-FunctionPeripheral) apparatus 1 according to a printer of the present invention.The MFP apparatus 1 comprises a program execution unit 2, a memory unit3, a FAX unit 4, a RIP process unit 5, a sorting unit 6, a scanner unit7, an image process unit 8, an electronic media read unit 9, a displayunit 10, an operation unit 11, a printer unit 12, a data input/outputunit 13, and a timer 14.

The MFP apparatus 1 is an apparatus in which various functions areintegrated, as shown in FIG. 1.

The FAX unit 4 generates image data by decoding encoded data that issent from a public line, etc.

The RIP process unit 5 generates image data by interpreting/renderingPDL (Page Description Language) that is sent from a network, etc.

The scanner unit 7 generates image data by optically scanning anoriginal.

The image process unit 8 processes images, for example, by converting aread image to printable image data, adjusting the color, brightness,fineness, etc. of the image, and discriminating the image to convert theimage so as to obtain a higher-quality print output.

The electronic media read unit 9 reads image data from, for instance, aCD-ROM or a memory card such as a Compact Flash.

The printer unit 12 prints out image data, which is generated by theabove-described functional units, to paper.

In addition, there are provided the program execution unit 2 whichexecutes a program for properly controlling the functional blocks, atemporary memory area which is necessary for executing processes, thememory unit 3 which stores data for a necessary time period, the displayunit 10, the operation unit 11 for enabling the user to operate theapparatus, and the data input/output unit 13 for data exchange with anexternal device (not shown).

Besides, there is provided the sorting unit 6 for properly sorting papersheets, on which printing is effected by the printer unit 12.

The program execution unit 2 includes a counter, as will be describedlater in detail.

As has been described above, the main function of the MFP apparatus 1 isto print image data, which is input from various input devices, topaper, and there occurs a competition with the printer unit 12. Thus, inorder to enhance the convenience for users and the operation rate of theapparatus, it is an important technique to optimally control the orderof print outputs in a case where a plurality of print jobs areoverlapped.

As such a technique, there is known a method as disclosed in Jpn. Pat.Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-127928, wherein the priority for eachkind of job is set, and an estimated time until completion of print isset, and the print order of jobs is controlled by using theseparameters.

In this method, however, there is a tendency that the priority isbasically fixed according to the kind of job. For example, there is acase where a confirmation of transmission of facsimile from an importantcustomer has come while a print operation, which requires a long time,is being performed. In such a case, there may be a need to increase thepriority of facsimile, which is normally set at a low level. In thiscase, in order to temporarily change the priority level, it is necessaryto execute an exceptional process, such as changing the setting orcanceling the printing process. In addition, although the estimated timeuntil completion of print may be approximately calculated on the basisof the file size or the kind of PDL, the estimation is not perfect. As aresult, the estimation may become erroneous, and a proper control ofpriority may fail.

In the present invention, the preset priority for each kind of job orthe print estimated time with low precision is not used. Instead, theprint order of pages of print images, which are generated by each job,is controlled so as to maximize the operation rate of the print engine.Printed matters, which include pages of respective jobs in a mixedfashion, are sorted according to jobs. Thereby, grouping, which issimilar to the prior art, is executed, thereby realizing a print controlwith a high customer satisfaction level, which requires no exceptionaloperation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sorting function that is provided in the MFPapparatus 1, which is necessary in the present invention. Specifically,the MFP apparatus 1 includes paper output destinations 21 to 26. Printimages, which are generated by copying, facsimile, network print,internal data print, etc., are printed on paper sheets by the printerunit 12, and are sorted and output to the paper output destinations 21to 26 according to jobs. The number of paper output destinations is sixin FIG. 6. Alternatively, the number of paper output destinations may bedecreased or increased according to the degree of overlapping of printjobs.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of sorting paper sheets according to jobs bychanging the direction of paper sheets, without executing mechanicalsorting. Specifically, an A4-size sheet a is output in a verticaldirection, and an A4-size sheet b is output in a horizontal direction.Thereby, even if the A4-size sheet a and the A4-size sheet b arestacked, easy sorting can be realized.

Although it is difficult to execute sorting by this function alone, theflexibility in sorting methods can be provided by combining the paperoutput destinations 21 to 26 in FIG. 2.

Next, the print order control in the case where print jobs areoverlapped is described. As a simplest example, overlapping between anetwork print job and a facsimile print job is described.

FIG. 4 illustrates a timing of generation/print of pages of respectiveprint jobs in the prior art. An axis of RIP indicates print imagegeneration for network print, an axis of facsimile (FAX) indicates printimage generation of facsimile, and an axis of an engine in the printerunit indicates a timing of actual printing on paper. In general, thetime needed for generation of print images in network print differsdepending on the degree of complexity of documents, and is not uniform.In addition, the time needed for receiving encoded data is long, and theengine of the printer unit operates intermittently and the operationrate of the printer engine lowers. In short, the engine of the printerunit repeats intermittent operations at the time of network print.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which facsimile print is executed byinterrupt while network print is being executed, by the print ordercontrol according to the present invention. In this invention, facsimileprint images are inserted in printable time periods, as indicated by theaxis of the engine of the printer unit 12. Thereby, the intermittentoperation of the engine of the printer unit 12 is minimized, and theoperation rate of the engine is increased.

FIG. 6 shows a prior-art example in which 100 copies are printed bynetwork print. The non-uniformity in network print time occurs only atthe time of printing a first copy. Second and following copies areprinted by re-using generated print image data. Thus, the print can beperformed at the speed of the print engine, and there is no time gap forinterrupt. Hence, the print job for copying is executed after the 100thcopy.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, a print process of acopying job with a small number of copies is executed by interrupt at abreak point between copies. The number of copies for interrupt may belimited in advance. If more than a preset number of copies of thecopying job are to be printed, a wait time is needed. In this manner, ata time of printing a large number of copies, the time of completion ofprint of a large number of copies is slightly delayed. Thereby, theprint wait time of a print job with a small number of copies can bedecreased, and the degree of dissatisfaction of both users can beminimized. Specifically, when the second copy of the network print jobis finished, a print image of the copying job is generated and a firstcopy of the copying job is printed. Then, third and fourth copies of thenetwork print job are printed, following which second and third copiesof the copying job are printed. Then, copies of the network print jobare printed up to a 100th copy.

Next, a description is given of the case where print jobs with largenumbers of copies are overlapped.

FIG. 8 shows a timing in the prior art in a case where a network printjob for 100 copies and a copying job for 20 copies are overlapped. Aftera job with a higher priority is completed, a subsequent job is executed.Thus, after 100 copies of the network print job are printed, 20 copiesof the copying job are printed.

In the present invention, a UI (User Interface) for determining a printratio per unit time is presented on a setting screen that is displayedon the display unit 10, as shown in FIG. 9. By altering the print ratio,the time of completion of a plurality of overlapping jobs is adjusted.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which this adjusting function is used to setthe print ratio of the copying print job at 100%, and thus a networkprint job is executed after completion of print of 20 copies of thecopying job. Specifically, after a third copy of the network print jobis printed, print images of the copying job are generated and 20 copiesof the copying job are printed by interrupt. Thereafter, the remainingfourth to 100th copies of the network print job are printed.

FIG. 11 shows an example in which the print ratio of the copying job isset at 33% and printing per unit time is executed at a ratio of 1(copying):2 (network print). Specifically, when print of a third copy ofthe network print job is finished, a print image of the copying job isgenerated and a first copy of the copying job is printed. Subsequently,fourth and fifth copies of the network print job are printed, followingwhich a second copy of the copying job is printed. Then, a subsequentnetwork print job is executed. In this manner, the network print job andcopying job are executed at a ratio of 2:1.

FIG. 9 shows the setting screen displayed on the display unit 10. A linecorresponding to a job, for which alteration is desired, is selected,and a slide bar 30 displayed at a lowermost part is shifted. Thereby,the print ratio of each job is displayed. In the present case, jobs,which require output of sheets in units of copies as in a case of astaple process, are overlapped. If there is no such restriction, theprint-out may be executed in units of a page, and not in units of acopy, as shown in FIG. 5.

Next, the print operation of the present invention having theabove-described structure is described with reference to flow charts ofFIGS. 12 to 15.

To begin with, an operation for determining a paper output destinationis described referring to the flow chart of FIG. 12.

The program execution unit 2 confirms whether there is a print job to beexecuted (ST1). If there is no print job, the process is finished.

If there is a print job, the program execution unit 2 confirms whetherthere is restriction or designation relating to the paper outputdestination (ST2). If there is no restriction or designation, acandidate for paper output destination is determined (ST3).

In this case, the program execution unit 2 confirms whether thedetermined paper output destination or designated paper outputdestination is available (ST4). If it is available, the paper outputdestination is reserved (ST5).

If the paper output destination that is designated in step ST4 is notavailable, the program execution unit 2 confirms whether interrupt printis executable (ST6). If interrupt print is executable, the print ratiois determined and set (ST7).

If interrupt print is not executable in step ST6, the program executionunit 2 executes time adjustment (ST8) and returns to step ST1.

Next, an operation for adjusting the print ratio is described referringto the flow chart of FIG. 13.

The program execution unit 2 acquires a print ratio (ST11) and updatesscreen display on the display unit 10 (ST12).

If a job is selected on the updated screen display on the display unit10 (ST13), the program execution unit 2 changes the selected job to anadjustment mode (ST14) and returns to step ST12.

If the slide bar 30 is shifted on the updated screen display on thedisplay unit 10 (ST15), the program execution unit 2 re-calculates theprint ratio and time of completion (ST16) and returns to step ST12.

If a setting key on the updated screen display on the display unit 10 ispressed (ST17), the program execution unit 2 sets the print ratio (ST18)and returns to step S12.

If a cancel key on the updated screen display on the display unit 10 ispressed (ST19), the program execution unit 2 restores the print ratioand the time of completion to pre-adjustment values (ST20) and returnsto step S12.

If a tab, other than the STATUS tab, on the updated screen display onthe display unit 10 is pressed (ST21), the program execution unit 2finishes the print ratio adjustment operation.

Next, the operation for determining a print image is described referringto the flow chart of FIG. 14.

The program execution unit 2 confirms whether there is image data to beprinted (ST31). If there is image data, the program execution unit 2determines image data to be printed, on the basis of a count value ofeach job (ST32).

The program execution unit 2 confirms whether there is a need toconsider a break point of copies at a time of printing (ST33).

If there is no need to consider a break point of copies, the programexecution unit 2 confirms whether there is image data of the determinedjob (ST34).

If there is image data of the determined job, the program execution unit2 prints the image data of the job by the printer unit 12 (ST35),increments the print ratio determination count of the job by +1 (ST36)and returns to step ST31.

If there is no image data of the determined job in step S34, the programexecution unit 2 determines the next print image data on the basis ofthe count value of each job (ST37) and returns to step ST33.

If there is a need to consider a break point of copies in step ST33, theprogram execution unit 2 confirms whether there is a break point ofcopies (ST38). If there is a break point of copies, the programexecution unit 2 advances to step ST35.

If there is no break point of copies in step ST38, the program executionunit 2 determines the next print image data on the basis of the countvalue of each job (ST39) and returns to step ST33.

At last, a counter reset operation for print image determination isdescribed referring to the flow chart of FIG. 15.

The program execution unit 2 confirms whether one minute has passed bythe timer 14 (ST41). If one minute has passed, the program executionunit 2 resets the current counter value in the print ratio determinationcounter.

FIG. 16 shows an engine speed and a time until counter reset. These areparameters necessary for determining distribution of print images. Theparameters are the engine speed (number of sheets/minute) of the printerunit 12 and the remaining time until counter reset.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a priority order determination table forprint images. Print distribution values are calculated from the setvalues of print ratios, the number of printable sheets per unit time andthe remaining time until counter reset (elapsed time).

The calculation formula is as follows:print distribution value=engine speed per unit time×printratio/100×elapsed time/60.

A difference between this value and the current count value is found. Asthe difference increases (i.e. as the difference value increases to thenegative side), the priority is increased.

As has been described above, according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, there is no need to set the priority order for each kind ofjob, as in the prior art. When print jobs are overlapped, print-out of ajob with a higher priority is not simply executed. The print-out ofprint jobs can fairly be executed at a ratio per unit time, which isdesired by users. Therefore, print-out can be executed with a low degreeof dissatisfaction.

Specifically, according to the present invention, there is provided aprint processing method for a printer that has a plurality of functionsand a plurality of paper output methods and executes print for each ofthe functions, comprising: executing, when prints by the plurality offunctions are simultaneous/parallel processed, printing of print images,which are created by image processes associated with the respectivefunctions, by calculating a print order on the basis of a time at whicheach print image is created and a preset print process ratio between thefunctions; executing, when the preset print process ratio is alteredwhere necessary during the printing, printing of remaining print imagesat the time of the alteration by re-calculating the print order on thebasis of the altered process ratio; and sorting paper sheets, on whichthe printing is effected, according to each of the functions by theplurality of paper output methods.

The time at which each print image is created is a time at which a printimage of a minimum unit of print is created, the print order iscalculated on the basis of the time of creation of the print image whichis created in units of one page at a single-side print time, and theprint order is calculated on the basis of the time of creation of theprint images which are created in units of two pages at a double-sideprint time.

The time at which each print image is created is a time at which a printimage is created at each break point of copies when a copy-unit processneeds to be executed in units of a plurality of pages, such as a stapleprocess or a book-binding process, and the print order is calculated onthe basis of the time of creation.

The preset print process ratio is a ratio of a number of pages that areprinted per unit time according to each of the functions.

A print order determination table for print processes is created usingthe preset print process ratio, and the print processes of the pluralityof functions are executed with reference to the print orderdetermination table for print processes.

When the preset print process ratio is altered during the print process,a print completion estimated time and the print process ratio arere-calculated, the print completion estimated time and the print processratio, which are results of the re-calculation, are displayed, and thedisplayed print completion estimated time and the print process ratioare determined, thereby altering a ratio of a number of pages that areprinted per unit time according to each of the functions.

The plurality of paper output methods are methods in which paper outputdestinations are distributed according to the functions to a pluralityof mechanically constructed trays.

The plurality of paper output methods are methods in which paper sheetsare output together according to each of the functions by turning adirection of output sheets or inserting sheets for sorting.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a printerthat has a plurality of functions and a plurality of paper outputmethods and executes print for each of the functions, comprising: aprinting unit which prints a print image that is created by each of thefunctions; a setting unit which sets, when prints by the plurality offunctions are simultaneous/parallel processed, a print process ratiobetween the functions, which is used to determine a priority of printprocesses; a processing unit which executes a print process by theprinting unit, by determining a print order on the basis of the printprocess ratio between the functions, which is preset by the settingunit, and a time at which each print image according to each function iscreated; an altering unit which alters the print order, when the printprocess ratio is altered by the setting unit where necessary during theprint process by the processing unit, by re-calculating the print orderon the basis of a number of remaining print images at the time of thealteration and the altered print process ratio; and a control unit whichexecutes a control to sort paper sheets, which are printed by theprinting unit, according to each of the functions by the plurality ofpaper output methods.

Furthermore, according to the invention, there is provided a printerthat has a plurality of functions and a plurality of paper outputmethods and executes print for each of the functions, comprising:printing means for printing a print image that is created by each of thefunctions; setting means for setting, when prints by the plurality offunctions are simultaneous/parallel processed, a print process ratiobetween the functions, which is used to determine a priority of printprocesses; processing means for executing a print process by theprinting means, by determining a print order on the basis of the printprocess ratio between the functions, which is preset by the settingmeans, and a time at which each print image according to each functionis created; altering means for altering the print order, when the printprocess ratio is altered by the setting means where necessary during theprint process by the processing means, by re-calculating the print orderon the basis of a number of remaining print images at the time of thealteration and the altered print process ratio; and control means forexecuting a control to sort paper sheets, which are printed by theprinting means, according to each of the functions by the plurality ofpaper output methods.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A print processing method for a printer that has a plurality offunctions and a plurality of paper output methods and executes print foreach of the functions, comprising: executing, when prints by theplurality of functions are simultaneous/parallel processed, printing ofprint images, which are created by image processes associated with therespective functions, by calculating a print order on the basis of atime at which each print image is created and a preset print processratio between the functions; executing, when the preset print processratio is altered where necessary during the printing, printing ofremaining print images at the time of the alteration by re-calculatingthe print order on the basis of the altered process ratio; and sortingpaper sheets, on which the printing is effected, according to each ofthe functions by the plurality of paper output methods.
 2. The printprocessing method according to claim 1, wherein the time at which eachprint image is created is a time at which a print image of a minimumunit of print is created, the print order is calculated on the basis ofthe time of creation of the print image which is created in units of onepage at a single-side print time, and the print order is calculated onthe basis of the time of creation of the print images which are createdin units of two pages at a double-side print time.
 3. The printprocessing method according to claim 1, wherein the time at which eachprint image is created is a time at which a print image is created ateach break point of copies when a copy-unit process needs to be executedin units of a plurality of pages, such as a staple process or abook-binding process, and the print order is calculated on the basis ofthe time of creation.
 4. The print processing method according to claim1, wherein the preset print process ratio is a ratio of a number ofpages that are printed per unit time according to each of the functions.5. The print processing method according to claim 1, wherein a printorder determination table for print processes is created using thepreset print process ratio, and the print processes of the plurality offunctions are executed with reference to the print order determinationtable for print processes.
 6. The print processing method according toclaim 1, wherein when the preset print process ratio is altered duringthe print process, a print completion estimated time and the printprocess ratio are re-calculated, the print completion estimated time andthe print process ratio, which are results of the re-calculation, aredisplayed, and the displayed print completion estimated time and theprint process ratio are determined, thereby altering a ratio of a numberof pages that are printed per unit time according to each of thefunctions.
 7. The print processing method according to claim 1, whereinthe plurality of paper output methods are methods in which paper outputdestinations are distributed according to the functions to a pluralityof mechanically constructed trays.
 8. The print processing methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the plurality of paper output methods aremethods in which paper sheets are output together according to each ofthe functions by turning a direction of output sheets or insertingsheets for sorting.
 9. A printer that has a plurality of functions and aplurality of paper output methods and executes print for each of thefunctions, comprising: a printing unit which prints a print image thatis created by each of the functions; a setting unit which sets, whenprints by the plurality of functions are simultaneous/parallelprocessed, a print process ratio between the functions, which is used todetermine a priority of print processes; a processing unit whichexecutes a print process by the printing unit, by determining a printorder on the basis of the print process ratio between the functions,which is preset by the setting unit, and a time at which each printimage according to each function is created; an altering unit whichalters the print order, when the print process ratio is altered by thesetting unit where necessary during the print process by the processingunit, by re-calculating the print order on the basis of a number ofremaining print images at the time of the alteration and the alteredprint process ratio; and a control unit which executes a control to sortpaper sheets, which are printed by the printing unit, according to eachof the functions by the plurality of paper output methods.
 10. A printerthat has a plurality of functions and a plurality of paper outputmethods and executes print for each of the functions, comprising:printing means for printing a print image that is created by each of thefunctions; setting means for setting, when prints by the plurality offunctions are simultaneous/parallel processed, a print process ratiobetween the functions, which is used to determine a priority of printprocesses; processing means for executing a print process by theprinting means, by determining a print order on the basis of the printprocess ratio between the functions, which is preset by the settingmeans, and a time at which each print image according to each functionis created; altering means for altering the print order, when the printprocess ratio is altered by the setting means where necessary during theprint process by the processing means, by re-calculating the print orderon the basis of a number of remaining print images at the time of thealteration and the altered print process ratio; and control means forexecuting a control to sort paper sheets, which are printed by theprinting means, according to each of the functions by the plurality ofpaper output methods.